Montana is home to burgeoning art community

Johnson honed her skills over time. She took weaving classes and attended workshops. She also goes to fiber fests and does a lot of reading. A guild in Great Falls also provided expertise.

Bird Creek Designs
Sells: One-of-a-kind, hand-fabricated jewelry made from copper and silver
Location: 126 River Road, Cascade
Contact: www.birdcreekranch.com; info@birdcreekranch.com; 406-468-2160

James Kittredge got into the jewelry business unintentionally. After undergoing carpal tunnel surgery a few years ago, he worked with clay to aid his recovery. "I just didn't enjoy it," he said. His wife, Cindy, encouraged him to try metal instead. He loved it, and a metalsmith was born. "It was something I could do during the winter when I didn't have much outdoor work."

He took his avocation seriously enough to attend the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco.

Inspiration for many of his designs comes from his ranch.

The focal point of the large living room window of the Kittredge home is Square Butte, a mountain with a unique profile that appears prominently in some of Charlie Russell's paintings.

Bird Creek runs through his property, which is why he features bird designs in some of his jewelry, and the Missouri River borders the ranch on the north.

On the ranching side of the business, the Kittredges raise Icelandic sheep for their fleece, which they send out to be spun into sport-weight yarn. They also produce roving, from which spinners make their own yarn. "There are six natural colors, no dyes," he said.

Highland cattle also graze in their pastures. Their meat is naturally low in fat and cholesterol but is well marbled and flavored, Kittredge said.

Warner Ranch Gallery
Sells: Contemporary western black-and-white photos by John Warner; wool-lined vests by Diana Warner
Location: 421 Knapstad Road, Sun River
Contact: 406-264-5229; jwarner@3rivers.net; www.warnerphoto.net

John Warner is a teacher by training, a rancher by choice and a photographer by love.

"I started doing photography at a very young age, in the sixth or seventh grade," he said. "I went to the library and picked up some books and taught myself how to do it."